The fun just never stops, does it?

I am proud of them. All of them. They are great people who never expected the Ukraine to face this level of danger to it's people. I would expect this level of danger in Afghanistan, but, Ukraine? This is a new one on me.

Russia is still an expansionist government. It can't be ignored. The only way these post soviet nations will be stabilized is to develop strong military presence within their borders. It is what it is.

Withdrawal: Ukrainian soldiers fold the Ukrainian flag, which was removed by a Crimean pro- Russian self-defense force at the Ukrainian Navy headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea

By Tim Shipman and Ian Drury

PUBLISHED: 15:59 EST, 19 March 2014

UPDATED: 03:57 EST, 20 March 2014

Ukraine (click here) asked Britain for military support last night amid growing fears that Russia is set to launch a fresh land grab in Eastern Europe.
The embattled nation’s security chief Andriy Parubiy called for joint military exercises with the United States and Britain to deter Russia from seizing the rest of Eastern Ukraine.
He said Ukraine will hold manoeuvres with the two Western nations following the annexation of Crimea.
The Ministry of Defence said Britain ‘routinely’ holds military exercises with Ukraine.
Planning is going ahead for one exercise - codenamed Rapid Trident 14 - to be held near Lviv, close to the Polish border in western Ukraine, in July.
An MoD insider said: ‘This is nothing to do with the current situation in Ukraine and it is not an exercise in, “Right, let’s go and practice battering the Russians".'...

Putin fears a great deal in the year 2014. He doesn't want the remains of Russia to dissolve into small states. If Russia takes the posture of an expansionist soviet nation, it may very well intimidate any movement within the country to dissolve even Russia borders. It would appear as though nationalism and the oppression of democracy and a meaningful judicial process serves the great Russia.

Ah, the good 'ole days.

Any excuse is a good excuse.  One way for a country to expand it's borders is to have a strong sea presence that cannot be argued with by weaker countries. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and then there is Syria in the Mediterranean Sea are all sea port countries. Russia wants them as a direct threat to Europe.

I mean, give me a break this isn't rocket science.

Dan Kedmey 
5:57 AM ET

A Russian diplomat (click here) voiced “concern” over Estonia’s treatment of its Russian-speaking minority on Wednesday, one day after Russia formally annexed Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula over similar fears of mistreatment.

“Language should not be used to segregate and isolate groups,” said Russia’s diplomat to the U.N. Human Rights Council, according to Reuters. He was objecting to Estonia’s longstanding policy that all of its citizens speak Estonian, including the Russian minority....

The way to prevent war is to prevent it and not ignore the potential exists. In the case of Russia is appears to be a burgeoning reality.

The very worst Estonia does in the way of human rights currently is to deny employment due to LANGUAGE BARRIERS. This 'speaking Russian thing' seems to be a real hurdle to diversity in the post soviet states. It has to end. There is nothing to say citizens are to be denied to speak any language they want, but, these small nations have to seek help promoting BI-LINGUAL arts. It should be mandatory in their schools that their students speak a FUNCTIONAL language for the benefit of their futures. There is absolutely no reason why speaking Russian is an excuse of a militarized invasion.

Estonia Human Rights (click here)
Discrimination – linguistic minorities Members of the Russian-speaking minority faced discrimination. Non-Estonian speakers, mainly from the Russian-speaking minority, were denied employment due to official language requirements for various professions in the private sector and almost all professions in the public sector. Most did not have access to affordable language training that would enable them to qualify for employment....

The EU and the United Nations needs to reach out to these small nations to resolve any of their human rights problems, including, diversity and inclusion. These post soviet states are beginning to show common problems still lingering in their societies and treasuries. They have worked hard to be independent and as strong as their abilities can afford, but, if they are to be STABLE in a world where a Russian military invasion looms around each corner. They need to advance their society as well as their military structure and alliances. I still believe a military alliance of these countries would provide all of them a stronger position to maintain either sovereignty and advance sincere freedom and prosperity. 

Consider a multi-nation military and the hurdle a language barrier would create. A small nightmare if it isn't addressed. I don't believe any nation has to be a member of NATO to be a part of a stronger military presence on their eastern borders.

I am NOT a world traveler. My concentration is ice fields, glaciers, ice caps and sea ice. I have been to Iceland and simply loved it and the people. One thing is true about this way station on the way to Europe, they speak six different languages and one of them is English. There is no mandated language in Iceland, their native language is still spoken fondly and the world would not want it any other way. I am a strong believer in preserving language as a cultural landmark. Language is extremely important. But,the point is that through the decades Iceland has adapted to many travelers coming to their land. Icelanders also have a diaspora in Europe. 

These small nations have every right to love their native languages, but, they have to succeed in a larger world whereby language could be a barrier. I strongly suggest USAID bring cultural enhancements to these nations in the way of improving diversity while preserving their deeply held cultural values. It is that very diversity in cultural values that will bring tourism and economic growth.

I look forward to an expansionist stability through the post soviet states, peace for all their people and alliances that work to secure their independence and sovereignty.